Newsletter Archives

• Planning ahead for migration

  Posted on March 24, 2025 at 02:42 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  TAME YOUR TECH

  

  By Susan Bradley

  March 20, last Thursday, was the spring equinox. For me, that means I start planning ahead for gardening season.

  I’ll review seed catalogs and study how things worked out last year. Making a plan well ahead of turning that first bit of soil is essential for me, and I put it all on paper. From determining how much fertilizer and mulch I need to computing compost density and selecting the best seeds for this year, I want that plan.

  Okay, I know that as Will was editing this column, he was asking himself, “What the heck is she talking about? This is a tech newsletter!” I’ll explain.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (22.12.0, 2025-03-24).

  Tame Your Tech Apple, Business insurance, Cyber insurance, Linux, Migration, Mint, Newsletters, Patch Lady Posts, PC Upgrades, Windows 10, Windows 10 ESU, Windows 11

• Business Windows 10 ESU offering

  Posted on February 13, 2025 at 03:00 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  The other day, Microsoft announced more details about the Windows 10 ESU offering for business. It noted that “Extended Security Updates for Windows 10 can be purchased today through the Microsoft Volume Licensing Program, at $61 USD per device for Year One. “

  Ugh. The Volume Licensing (VL) program is one of Microsoft’s clunkier purchasing processes.  Although you can purchase a Windows 10 ESU in quantities as low as one, that doesn’t mean you can easily find a vendor willing to sell singletons if you are not an existing customer. In the past, I once used SoftwareOne to purchase small quantities.  I’ll reach out to see if it is still willing to do so.

  But be prepared to be patient. The last time I signed up for a new VL contract, it involved a bunch of electronic forms, after which I logged into a Microsoft 365 portal to download product keys (or whatever they will supply this time to activate the ESU). For consumers, Microsoft has not yet opened up a process to purchase the extended license. I’ll report once that happens.

  Windows 10 Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10 ESU

• Reviewing your subscriptions

  Posted on December 23, 2024 at 02:42 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  ON SECURITY

  

  By Susan Bradley

  On an annual basis, I like to review those subscriptions and services that impact my bank account.

  Many times, vendors use the end of a year to change their focus or — as is apt to happen more recently — increase their prices. You should do the same. Review each and every subscription to make sure it’s delivering the value you expect.

  One recent announcement? YouTube TV just raised its price by $10 per month, a 14% increase.

  Read the full story in our Plus Newsletter (21.52.0, 2024-12-23).

  On Security Backup Software, Browser Protection, Endpoint Protection, Newsletters, Password managers, Patch Lady Posts, Software Subscriptions, VPN, Windows 10 ESU

• MS-DEFCON 2: ESU plans announced for Windows 10

  Posted on November 7, 2024 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.45.1 • 2024-11-07

  

  By Susan Bradley

  In the midst of Microsoft’s pushing Windows 11 24H2 and updates for Windows 10, caution is in order.

  As a result, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Keep 24H2 at bay, and give me a few weeks to understand and fully vet next week’s updates.

  We’ve known for some time that Extended Security Update (ESU) plans would be offered for Windows 10 in October 2025, when regular support ends. What we did not know until recently was the cost for consumers. Last week, on Halloween, Microsoft gave us a treat by announcing a price of $30 for one year. Exact details about obtaining these ESU plans will be disclosed later next year.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.45.1, 2024-11-07).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, CVE-2024-38094, iOS 18, KB5002606, KB5002615, KB5002618, macOS Sequoia, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10, Windows 10 ESU, Windows 11 24H2, Windows Server 2025

• MS-DEFCON 2: April sprinkles

  Posted on April 4, 2024 at 02:45 CDT by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.14.1 • 2024-04-04

  

  By Susan Bradley

  In honor of spring (and the recent weather in my home state of California), let’s avoid my usual term. Updates are being “sprinkled” this month, not “dribbled.”

  It’s just terminology, though. Either way, I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2. Defer updates for both Windows 10 and 11.

  Meanwhile, I’ll put on my CPA hat for all you late filers out there. Don’t defer any longer — get those US income tax returns in! (Isn’t that aggravating enough?)

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.14.1, 2024-04-04).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, KB5035853, KB5035855, KB5035857, KB5035885, KB5037422, KB5037423, KB5037426, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10 ESU

• MS-DEFCON 2: Slow the rush to Copilot

  Posted on March 7, 2024 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 21.10.1 • 2024-03-07

  

  By Susan Bradley

  Because of the ongoing rollout of Copilot enhancements, I recommend deferring or pausing updates.

  That’s why I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  I continue to test and evaluate all updates on my test PCs and will provide my analysis and recommendations as soon possible. Meanwhile, defer. And while you’re doing that, those of you in North America should prepare to lose an hour of sleep this weekend.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (21.10.1, 2024-03-07).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Copilot, Extended Security Updates, KB5022913, KB5032038, KB5034440, KB5034441, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10 ESU

• MS-DEFCON 2: Copilot for Christmas

  Posted on December 7, 2023 at 02:45 CST by Susan Bradley • Comment in the Forums

  

  ISSUE 20.49.1 • 2023-12-07

  

  By Susan Bradley

  The upcoming December updates will begin Microsoft’s process of dribbling out Windows Copilot.

  No question here — I’m raising the MS-DEFCON level to 2.

  I’m not sure I understand why Copilot needed to be so deeply embedded in Windows, at least right now. It’s obvious that putting the guts of AI support into the operating system is inevitable, because Microsoft’s apps are rapidly evolving to include Copilot.

  However, Microsoft’s icon for Copilot still includes the “PRE” badge, which in effect signals that we’re all still beta testers for a Copilot preview. Besides, with your Microsoft account and Edge, you can play around with Copilot at low risk. Even that generates some uncertainty, because I’ve seen Copilot in Bing deliver wrong answers.

  Maybe the bugs should be worked out before Copilot is welded permanently to Windows.

  Anyone can read the full MS-DEFCON Alert (20.49.1, 2023-12-07).

  AskWoody Plus Alert, MS-DEFCON Alerts, Extended Security Updates, HP Print smart, KB5008383, MS-DEFCON, MS-DEFCON 2, Patch Lady Posts, Windows 10 ESU, Windows Copilot